Q u a r t e r No t e s

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1 Q u a r t e r No t e s Minnesota Brass, Inc. Quarter Notes Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 2 June 15, 2010 Contents: Drum Beauty... 1 Member Spotlight... 2 Sideliners... 3 Local Shows... 3 Grants Received... 4 MB Productions (MBP)... 4 MBI VISA Card... 4 Under the Lights (UTL)... 5 Click for Community Schedule... 6 Editor-in-Chief: Sue Cosley Quarter Notes Staff: Dave Whitaker Eric Molho Contact Quarter Notes: Submit advertising or story ideas to: Qnotes@mnbrassinc.org. Contact MBI: Snail Mail: Minnesota Brass, Inc. PO Box 7341 St. Paul, MN info@mnbrassinc.org Drum Beauty Creates Memorable Experiences Sunday, June 27, 2010, Stillwater Area High School By Paul Mordorski Drum Beauty, nestled in the quaint St. Croix River Valley town of Stillwater, is Minnesota s premier drum and bugle corps competition. Scheduled for June 27, 2010 at Stillwater Area High School, the nation s top Drum Corps International (DCI) caliber corps have been appearing at this DCI stop on the tour since Memories are inspired when you mention Drum Beauty. According to Drum Beauty Producer and Historian Dave Eckberg, the show evolved in 1956 to attract units for the Play Days parade. The Stillwater Jaycees created the show and ran the show c o n s e c u t i v e l y through 1962, featuring the top level drum and bugle corps, with the Cavaliers, Blessed Sacrament (a last minute replacement in 1959), and the Preston Scout House included as champions. Drum Beauty ceased after the 1962 season, and, although it was resurrected in 1965 and the early 1970s as a regional show, it was not successful because the people of Stillwater were used to having the big corps in attendance. In 1975, Eckberg resurrected Drum Beauty as his senior project at the University of Minnesota. Five top DCI caliber corps were scheduled to perform at this show at Stillwater HS that was sold out months in advance. There had not been measurable rain in nearly a month going into the show until that night, when it rained three inches from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. The show became a rain-soaked, thrilling exhibition with the 1974 DCI Champion Santa Clara Vanguard marching twice, wearing garbage bags, and wowing the crowd with their Bottle Dance and excellent showmanship. 9 of the nation s top corps visit Stillwater Area High School for what promises to be a Collision of Champions. Share your favorite Drum Beauty memories. Qnotes@mnbrassinc.org today! Memories may appear on the website or in other MBI publications. Over the years, Drum Beauty has been both a one and two day event, held at five different locations, in rainy conditions that forced standstill performances, in sweltering heat, and with perfect drum corps weather. Below are memories from Minnesota Brass Inc. affiliates of their Drum Beauty experiences. John Ebert (hornline,1990s, 2000s, and current marching member): My first drum corps show as a fan was Drum Beauty If memory serves, Santa Clara, Blue Devils, Scouts, Blue Stars, and Spirit of Atlanta were there, maybe Crossmen, too. Spirit of Atlanta already had that gigantic sound, and it was only their second season. But I instantly fell in love with the Devils, and they DCI Minnesota Super Ticket Drum Beauty, Continued on page 2 DCI Minnesota July 17, 2010, TCF Bank Stadium 24 World, Open, and All-Age Class corps will roll through Minneapolis for this first ever event. See the Sideliners page for a lineup, times, and ticket information... including a discounted Super Ticket for Drum Beauty patrons. When buying your Drum Beauty ticket online only at you have the opportunity to purchase the $27 DCI-Minnesota ticket for only $18! 1

2 By Susan Fisher The member profile shines this issue on Eric Molho, arguably one of the most critical members of the Minnesota Brass Inc. Drum Corps family, since he is the new corps director. By way of introduction for those alumni and fans who are not around the corps all of the time, hopefully this profile will give you a chance to get to know this busy, energetic, and smart leader who has been quietly helping behind the scenes for many years. Eric grew up in Indiana and was first introduced to drum corps when his high school band teacher invited him to attend the 1986 World Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. Since that time, he has been hooked on drum corps. One of his early memories of drum corps was at the Drum Corps Midwest Championships in DeKalb, Illinois. Deep inside the bowels of Huskie stadium, he turned to his friend and said, Ya know, that Minnesota Brass group is pretty good. A fellow standing behind him who overheard his comment said Thank you! It happened to be someone in a Minnesota Brass jacket who was on the staff that summer. Profiling the Corps Director: Eric Molho In 1988, Eric auditioned for Star of Indiana a remarkable DCI junior corps from the 1980s and 1990s and had a wonderful weekend in Bloomington, Indiana. Unfortunately, when it came time to audition on his on his baritone in the face of four staff members, Eric froze up and was unable to get a single note out of his horn. After an expected rejection letter, he did not have the bravery or gumption to try out again and often regretted that he never took the step to march with a junior corps. When you see Eric at rehearsals, performances, or shows, feel free to introduce yourself to him. It was 2001 when he moved to Minnesota. Since he now lived in close proximity to a high quality all-age corps, he began to seriously consider marching with Minnesota Brass. While he did not know much about the corps other than his early memories from DeKalb, he joined the baritone line and enjoyed marching during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Wanting to take a break from the requirements of being at every rehearsal and performance, but still wanting to stay close to the corps, Eric ran for the board of directors. He served as a board member during the 2005 and 2006 seasons and then was selected as Board Chair for the 2007, 2008, and 2009 seasons. During these years, he watched and contributed to the remarkable success that the corps has been able to achieve. He was selected as the new Corps Director for the current 2010 season with the hope that we are matching the high quality and professionalism that our performers exhibit with a strong, professionally run organization. Along with the board, staff, and management team, Eric is doing his part to make sure MBI marching members and alumni have everything they need to be successful today and into the future. Outside of Minnesota Brass, Eric plays an important role in the educational future of other young people as Director of Strategic Planning for the Minneapolis Public Schools. His talents for guiding others in achieving their full potential are important roles for both his professional and drum corps lives. As Eric says, For me, being Corps Director is about the members. I want them to have a great experience. To have fun and meet lifelong friends. And to know that they are a part of Minnesota Brass. As Corps Director and #1 rooter, Eric s wishes for the corps are completely in keeping with the Minnesota Brass mission, and he wants to get to know all of the Minnesota Brass family, since everyone is critical to the history, 2010 season, and the future of the corps. Drum Beauty, Continued from page 1 have been my favorite ever since. Afterward, I was hanging out with fellow trumpet players from my high school band. We were jealous of how high the drum corps trumpet players could play. One of them said, Yeah, but they re playing little tiny trumpets. Tim Christensen (American Flag Squad and hornline, 1990s and 2000s): I really miss the old Drum Beauty location, where we used to warm up and get ready in Karl and Linda s [Sletten] backyard, and then walk under the stands to start the show. Then we would come back and party in their driveway until after all the corps trucks were gone. Some years, they would even feed the Blue Stars, and I got to have midnight lunch. Brent Turner (1990s,2000s, and former MBI Corps Director): My first Drum Beauty was 1986 just as the corps were heading to Madison, Wisconsin for DCI finals. I went to the Monday night performance. I had lived in Minneapolis only about four weeks. Parade Stadium is really a treasured place for drum corps that is sorely missed. In the background of the performances were always the beautifully lit Minneapolis Downtown Skyscrapers along with the full moon. Gorgeous! What I remember most about this evening was Minnesota Brass playing Sesame Street, the Madison Scouts performance, and the Blue Devils victory concert. For the victory concert, I went down and sat right in front of the lead sopranos. The day was very hot, but things had cooled down immensely by the time the victory concert began. I was so excited to have the full power of the Blue Devils Hornline IN MY FACE! It was an amazing concert, but the most memorable part of the evening was that when the lead sopranos played anything over a high G, there was literally smoke coming out the end of their bells! It was a magical evening of drum corps, and Blue Devils went on to win the DCI Championships. It inspired me to audition the next Fall for the Madison Scouts. Drum Beauty has featured almost all the top DCI corps, including 2010 headliners the Cavaliers, Blue Stars, The Cadets, Madison Scouts, and Minnesota Brass Inc. Make sure you attend 2010 Drum Beauty to experience memorable performances and start forming your own Drum Beauty memories. 2

3 Minnesota Brass Local Performances Drum Beauty June 27, 2010, 6 p.m., Stillwater Area High School, Stillwater, MN A co-production of MBP and St. Croix Events Drum Beauty is one of the oldest and most successful drum corps shows in the country. This year s line-up is sure to be a great success, featuring in competition: Blue Stars (LaCrosse, WI), Cadets (Allentown, PA), The Cavaliers (Rosemont, IL), Colt Cadets (Dubuque, IA), Colts (Dubuque, IA), Govenaires (St. Peter, MN), and Minnesota Brass (St. Paul, MN). Tickets [available at are $33 for VIP Club, $25 for Preferred, $18 for reserved, and $5 for general admission. DCI Minnesota July 17, 2010, 2 p.m., TCF Bank Stadium, U of M, Minneapolis, MN A Drum Corps International Regional Event In one of the biggest events to hit the upper Midwest since the 2006 DCI World Championships, the 2010 Drum Corps International Tour will roll through Minneapolis on Saturday, July 17, for a first-ever event at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Home of the University of Minnesota s Golden Gophers, this brand new venue will host a whopping lineup of 24 World, Open and All-Age Class corps during one fun-filled and exciting evening. The largest marching music show ever held in Minnesota will feature ALL of the world s top drum corps! [Visit DCI.org or for ticket information.] Sounds of Minnesota August 22, 2010, South Saint Paul High School, South Saint Paul, MN Co-sponsored by South Saint Paul Band Backers and MBP Minnesota s premiere All-Age Corps weekend will kick off on Saturday, August 22, 2010, with MBI s own Sounds of Minnesota. This end-ofseason spectacular will again take place at Ettinger Field, South Saint Paul High School. Featured corps include: Minnesota Brass (St. Paul, MN), Govenaires (St. Peter, MN), Kilties (Racine, WI), and Minne-Brass (St. Paul, MN). [Visit for tickets.] Sideliners DBM/DCI-MN ticket Informtaion Drum Beauty tickets are $33 for VIP Club, $25 for Preferred, $18 for Reserved, and $5 for General Admission. Purchasers of Drum Beauty tickets will be able to participate in the purchase of the July 17, 2010, DCI-MN Super Tickets at the TCF Bank Stadium at UMN. A $27 DCI-MN ticket is available for only $18 through the Drum Beauty website. Sideliners will have a block of Preferred seats available for $23 each. Contact Rhonda Dooley at rtdooley@comcast.net to reserve tickets. For the DCI Minnesota Super Ticket offer, contact Paul Skinny Mordorski at or him at skinnypaulm@yahoo.com. To order the best tickets online, contact Drum Beauty directly at Wednesday Night Gatherings Join other alumni and fans of MBI for an evening of socializing and watching the 2010 corps rehearse at the Sears parking lot, near Industrial Boulevard. June 16 July 21 August 18 The officers will also be meeting on these nights, so listen in and see how Sideliners is becoming Bigger and Better in Sideliners Organizing Committee Sherry Duggan - Co-Pres. Judy Glewwe - Co-Pres. Cindy Bach Pat Byrne Sue Cosley Bobbi Hacket Bill Klein Paul Skinny Mordorski Tom Nicosia Marcia Reiter Timmy Christensen 2010 Sideliner Membership Form Membership Type: Includes: $23 Regular membership Newsletter, special discounts $35 Silver membership Same as above, plus 2 Sounds of Minnesota (SOM) tickets $55 Gold Membership Same as above plus MBI t-shirt of choice $100 Platinum Membership Same as Gold plus $50 tax deductible donation $ Porta Potty Fund $ Tax deductible donation Name: Mail to: Address: Paul Mordorski Telephone: Sideliners City: State Zip: 2046 Marion St. Roseville, MN For the latest MBI news, log on at

4 Recent mrac Grant Awards By Susan Fisher The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) has awarded Minnesota Brass two major grants during the last few months. An MRAC Capital Grant for $10,000 is helping to fund three Dynasty trumpets and four new tubas needed by the corps for the marching season. The busy parade and show performance schedule for both the corps and Minne-Brass puts intense pressure on both horns and percussion equipment. Consequently, there is a continuing need to add and replace equipment to enable a world class corps to perform at it best. The MRAC grant is an important factor that allows the corps to meet these critical needs. Additionally, MBI was able to secure an MRAC Community Arts Grant for $5000 to help fund the Sounds of Minnesota (SOM) home show on August 22, There are numerous costs involved in running a show with quality corps coming from around the country to compete in the annual SOM show. The MRAC grant helps Minnesota Brass keep the prices of the tickets very affordable for area drum corps fans to see some of their favorite corps. The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, which covers the sevencounty metropolitan area, is one of several arts councils around the state of Minnesota funded by the state legislature. The goals of the councils are to help fund small, entrepreneurial arts groups and to extend the arts to diverse audiences who might have only limited access to the cultural vitality of the Minnesota arts community. MBI creates MBP By Eric Molho Drum corps fans and Minnesota Brass alumni may have noticed a new acronym showing up from time to time: MBP. MBP stands for Minnesota Brass Productions, a newly created effort to identify and market the many events that Minnesota Brass helps to produce each summer. Minnesota Brass has been sponsoring drum corps shows in the Twin Cities for almost as long as the corps has been around! To support this effort, Minnesota Brass Productions (MBP) will become the official production arm of MBI s ever-growing organization. This summer, MBP will sponsor or co-sponsor several events. Our goal is to leverage the exciting opportunities on the Twin Cities art scene, using the dynamic voice of drum and bugle corps, said Eric Molho, Corps Director. We ll start with the marching arts and then branch out into other arts and educational events. Long-term, MBP plans to bring outstanding choreographers, show designers, and music adjudicators/educators from all over the country to the heart of the Twin Cities, helping to develop performers of multiple disciplines and of all ages and skill levels. Events already scheduled for 2010 include the Winter Drumline home show, Drum Beauty (co-produced with St. Croix Events), DCI Minnesota (a DCI Regional Event), and Sounds of Minnesota (cosponsored with South Saint Paul Band Backers). By Judith Glewwe Minnesota Brass is Moving at the speed of VISA The new Minnesota Brass, Inc. credit card is a free and easy way to raise more than $50 per cardholder for Minnesota Brass. The new Minnesota Brass, Inc. Drum & Bugle Corps Visa Platinum Rewards card can be used for everyday purchases. The first time the card is used, the bank will donate $50 to Minnesota Brass, Inc. Drum & Bugle Corps. MBI will continue to receive a percentage of all future purchases. Cardholders have powerful benefits. The Visa Platinum Rewards card offers zero liability protection, emergency assistance services, online banking, auto rental, travel accident insurance, and more! Plus, cardholders earn points at hundreds of participating online retailers, redeemable for name-brand merchandise, event tickets, gift cards, and travel rewards options. Cardholders will also earn accelerated points (up to 15 points per dollar) at hundreds of national merchants, which can be redeemed for merchandise, account credits, and free tickets on over 175 airlines (with no blackout dates)! Support MBI by requesting your credit card at: 4

5 By Susan Fisher Some of our favorite donors Under the Lights Over the last six years, since the Under the Lights Annual Fund was founded, there have been several Minnesota Brass, Inc. family members who have invested in the future of the corps by giving generously every year. Two of these donors have been selected to share their thoughts about what drum corps and Minnesota Brass has meant to their lives... what giving back to drum corps means to them now. Mike Palmquist was born the same year as the corps: He is an alumnus who joined the corps in the early 1970s after marching with the Saint Paul Scouts, then had stints in college and in the army. During that decade of the 1970s, Mike became more deeply involved with Minnesota Brass, serving as the Business Manager and the Corps Director for several years. After a break in 1980, Mike came back as a marching member until he moved his family to Texas in Moving to Texas has not cut Mike s ties with Minnesota Brass. He was a member of the Board of Directors during the 1990s, around for the fiftieth anniversary, a special drum major for the sixtieth anniversary, and a donor for the last 18 years long before the Under the Lights Fund began. Mike continues to financially support the corps today because of what the corps has given to him. He hopes that the members today realize all the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into the life of MBI. The intense love of drum corps brought Minnesota Brass to life and sustains it today. Curt Zoerhof had an early romance with drum corps when, during his junior year in high school, a new band director with a drum corps background came to his school. With the sponsorship of Click for Community By Susan Edseth Support the fundraising efforts of Minnesota Brass by doing what you are already doing... shopping online! Simply start all of your shopping at follow the link to Art, Music, and Cultural Organizations in St. Paul, then choose Minnesota Brass to benefit before you shop. local American Legion and VFW posts, he and some of his friends started a new drum corps. He remembers the feeling of his first field performance and competition. Curt says, It is so vividly etched in my brain that I can picture it clearly today over 35 years later. The pride and ritual of wearing the uniform, the smell of the grass on a warm summer evening, the sound of drums and bugles in the distance during warm-up, the fire of the gun as we stepped off the line, the snap of the bugle to playing position, the first hit. Curt s ability to describe this experience actually earned him his first job in banking and finance. The very same characteristics required to be successful in drum and bugle corps are those required to be successful in life. After a 35 year pause in his drum corps career, he joined Minnesota Brass in 2004, believing it would be for only one year to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. The friends he made in the organization and the shared passion for the activity have kept him here ever since. (He is currently a trumpet player in Minne-Brass.) Why does Curt continue to support MBI financially? Because, quite simply, I have fallen in love with this organization, the people within it, the people behind it, and everything it stands for. Drum corps may not be for everyone, but for a select few it is a shared passion, and it is a passion that I want to do my part to help sustain and share with others. It has meant so much and been so good to me that I hope it can be that way for others as well. With the help of people like Mike and Curt, the 2010 Under the Lights fund is now at 40% of the $30,000 goal. Join Mike and Curt and other dedicated members of the Minnesota Brass family to help MBI surpass this goal. Please use the enclosed envelope or visit mnbrassinc.org to make a contribution. There is no registration, membership hassle, or privacy concern. Every time you shop online at ClickForCommunity.com, MBI will receive a cash reward of up to 30% from purchases made at participating retailers. All purchases are done directly with your favorite online stores. Susan Edseth is a Community Advocate ( or susanca100@gmail.com) MBI Tuba section during the Spring Priview on April 15, Family Pictures GettinG Dusty? let us update them!? wilson whitaker photography update your walls with our artful, Fun Family Portraiture. Getting married? We re experts at that too! info@wilsonwhitakerphot.com BANNING AVE, WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN

6 PO Box 7341 St. Paul, MN Alumni & Friends Lunch! Free Lunch at noon! Socializing all day! Join MBI for lunch during the Sunday, June 20 rehearsal! Bring your lawn chair to Northdale Middle School in Coon Rapids. Please RSVP attendance to Jodi Pawlenty at 2010 MBI Schedule Sun. 6/20 Lunch for MBI Alumni & Fans Northdale Middle School Tues. 6/22 Parade: (Minne-Brass; evening) NE Minneapolis Thurs. 6/24 Parade: Fridley Days (MBI) Fridley, MN Sat. 6/26 DCI show Madison, WI Sun. 6/27 Drum Beauty Stillwater, MN Sat. 7/3 Parade (Minne-Brass; morning) Forest Lake Sun. 7/4 Parades (MBI) Delano & Apple Valley Sat. 7/10 Parade (Minne-Brass; evening) Litchfield, MN Wed. 7/14 Parade (Minne-Brass) White Bear Ave., St. Paul, MN Sat. 7/17 DCI-Minnesota (MBI in exhibition) Minneapolis, MN at TCF Bank Stadium Wed. 7/21 Sideliners Alumni & Fans Night Wednesday rehearsal site* Sat. 7/24 DCA show Jamestown, NY Sat. 7/31 Parade (Minne-Brass) Centerville, MN Sun. 8/1 Parade (Minne-Brass) Little Canada, MN Sat. 8/7 DCA-C Show Racine, WI Sun. 8/8 DCA-C Show Kenosha, WI Mon. 8/16 Classic Brass Inc. and Minne-Brass Minneapolis, MN Lake Harriet Band Shell Wed. 8/18 Sideliners Alumni & Fans Night Wednesday rehearsal site* Sat. 8/21 DCA-C Show St. Peter, MN Sun. 8/22 Sounds of Minnesota South St. Paul, MN Featuring both Minnesota Brass and Minne-Brass Wed. 8/25 Last Wednesday rehearsal in MN Wednesday rehearsal site* Sat. 8/28 District 11 Preview (tentative) TBA Fri. 9/3 DCA Mini-corps and I&E Rochester, NY Sat.-Sun. 9/4-5 DCA Prelims & Finals (MBI) Rochester, NY * Wednesday rehearsals are at the Sears Outlet store near the intersection of Industrial Boulevard and Spring Street Winter Street, Northeast, Minneapolis, MN. Visit for more information and the most recent updates.